Dispensing package



J. P. REPKO DISPENSING PACKAGE Jan. 5, 1965 7 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed May 26, 1961 INVENTOR.

3 A W QJia Jan. 5, 1965 J. P. REPKO 3,164,298

DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed May 26, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 5, 1965 J. P. REPKO DISPENSING PACKAGE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 26, 1961 IN V EN TOR.

Jofizz P P BY 3 24.

egg;

Jan. 5, 1965 J. P. REPKO DISPENSING PACKAGE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 26, 1961 INVENTOR. (70%]? P P9 0160 BYS I a? Jan. 5, 1965 J. P. REPKO DISPENSING PACKAGE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 26. 1961 Jan. 5, 1965 J. P. REPKO 3,164,293

DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed May 26. 1961 TSheets-Sheet 7 132 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,164,298 DISPENSHQG PACKAGE John P. Repko, Farina, Ghio, assignor to The Dow Chernical Company, Midland, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 26, B61, Ser. No. 112,848 Claims. {*Cl. 221282) This invention relates to an improvement in dispensing packages of the type used for dispensing unitized consumer articles such as gum, sugar, etc.

The dispensing packages disclosed herein incorporate several features not found in dispensing packages of the prior art. For example, the dispensers are preferably made from a rigid plastic, which may be transparent, translucent, opaque, and may be plain, printed or overwrapped; such packages may replace, or combine those presently used for shipping and/or as a display carton. As an alternative, the dispensers may be made of stiff paperboard. A further feature relates to the manner in which the package will automatically position an article for convenient removal from the package. Still another feature resides in the provision for affixing t e package to a supporting surface by means of self-contained holding means in the form of an adhesive coated rear wall. Dispensing packages made in accordance with the principles of the invention can be utilized for handling many different forms of articles, i.e., square, rectangular, oval, round, or pillow type units.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improvement in dispensing packages of the type used for dispensing unitized consumer articles such as gum, sugar, etc.

A more specific object is to provide a dispensing package made from rigid plastic material, and which may replace, or combine, those presently used for shipping and/or display.

Another object is to provide a dispensing package which will automatically position an article for convenient removal from the package.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing package which may be easily affixed to a supporting surface by means of a self-contained holding means.

A further object is to provide a dispensing package which can be utilized for handling many different forms of articles, i.e., square, rectangular, oval, round, or pillowtype units.

These and further objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective-like view of a dispensing package embodying the principles of the invention and as used for holding and sequentially dispensing packages of gum;

FIG. 2 is a front view {slightly enlarged) of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view generally as seen along line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom end view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section view generally as seen along line 55 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a package of gum being removed from the dispenser during initial phase of removal;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6, but showing an intermediate phase of removal of the package of gum;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7, but showing a final phase of removal of the package of gum;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 8, but showing the position of the dispenser contents after removal of a package of 3,154,298 Fatented Jan. 5, 1965 FIG. 10 is a perspective-like view of a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11- is a section view generally as seen along line 1111 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a section view generally as seen along line 12-12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a section view similar to that of FIG. 12 but showing a slightly modified construction;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the dispenser of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a layout showing how a dispenser similar to that shown in FIG. 10 may be made from a flat sheet of material;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a dispenser made from the layout of FIG. 15, and prior to filling with articles to be dispensed;

FIG. 17 is an end view of the dispensing end of the dispenser shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective-like view of a dispenser embodying the principles of the invention, as used for dispensing single sticks of wrapped gum;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the dispenser of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a rear view (reduced scale) of the dispenser of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a front view of another embodiment of a dispenser which is rotatable for dispensing articles from either end thereof;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary portion of the rear wall of the dispenser shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a section view as seen from line 2323 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a view showing the dispenser of FIG. 21 in various positions of rotation;

FIG. 25 is a front view of still another embodiment of a dispenser for use in dispensing pillow-type packets;

H6. 26 is a view generally as seen along line 2626 in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the dispenser of FIG. 25; and

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a pillow-type packet as held in the dispenser of FIG. 25.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to S, numeral 39 identifies a dispenser representative of an embodiment of the invention, which is rectangular in cross section and of such proportion as to accommodate a plurality of articles, such as wrapped sticks of gum 32 e.g. five per package. The dispenser, which is preferably made of a rigid plastic material, has a front wall 34, a rear, or back wall 36, side walls 38, a top wall 4%, and a bottom wall 42. An opening 44 is provided at the intersection of the front wall 34 and the bottom wall 42, the portion of the opening on the front wall being approximately one half of the gum package thickness, while the portion of the opening on the bottom wall is approximately one half the gum package depth. An additional opening 46 is formed in the front wall 34, which is generally semi-circular and which connects with the opening 44. Extending along the length and on the inner side of the front wall 34, are a pair of parallel arranged ribs 48, the lower extremity of which terminate from the bottom wall 42 a distance somewhat greater than the thickness of a package of gum. The ribs &3 maintain the packages of gum in contact with the back wall during movement downward in the dispenser. The back wall 36 has an inwardly projecting wall portion 50 at the lower end, which is adapted to automatically shift or position the lowermost package of gum slightly forward of the outer packages of gum, as best seen in FIG. 3. In such manner, the lowermost package of gum is located in a convenient position for easy removal from the dispenser.

In fabricating the dispenser 30, some of the Walls may be integrally molded, and the remaining walls glued, or

otherwise bonded to the molded walls prior to, or after the dispenser is loaded. 7

The steps required in removing a package of gum fromthe dispenser is sequentially illustrated in FIGS, 6 to 8. As seen in FIG. 6, the thumb of the person removing a package of gum, is placed on the protruding edge of the lowermost package'of gum, by way of the opening 46, while the index finger is placed to engage the bottom of the package through the opening 44. The thumb is removed downwardly causing a rotary movement to the package of gum whereby the package will be flipped out of the dispenser, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 9, the next package of gum is shown in lowermost position and in readiness for removal from the dispenser.

A modified dispenser 52 is illustrated in FIGS 10 to 14 inclusive, which differs from that above-described mostly in certain details of construction. The dispenser 52, which is rectangular in cross-section, includes a front wall 54, a rear or back wall 56, a top wall 58, side walls 6%, and a bottom wall 62. An opening 64, similar in dimension to opening 44 (assuming that the dispenser is to contain packages of gum 32), is arranged at the intersection of the front andbottom walls. If desired, the opening 64 may be provided with a cover 66, the edges of which are serrated so that the cover may be manually removed when the dispenser is put into service. The back wall 56 may be formed to provide flanges 68 by which it may be secured to a lip portion 70 provided on the side, top and bottom walls. A pair of parallel arranged ribs 72, similar in length to the ribs 48, are provided on the inner surface of the front wall 54, which may be concave, as shown in FIG. 12, or solid as shown in FIG. 13. The lower end of the back wall has a concave portion '74, arranged to position the lowermost package of gum forward in readiness for removal, as in the case of the dis-- penser 30.

Arranged upon the back wall of the dispenser 52 is an adhesive area 76 over which a protective film, or paper 78, is applied, which film may be removed and the dispenser afiixed to a flat surface in dispensing position when ready for use. The same type of adhesive dispenser supporting means may be applied to the dispenser 3%) if desired. 3

The dispenser illustrated in FIGS. m 17 inclusive, differs from those already described, chiefly in the manner of fabrication. As seen in FIG. 15, the dispenser is formed from a fiat sheet of paperboard 8d, shaped to form a carton blank and having scoredlines 82, cut lines 84 adapted to form flap members 86, and aserratedportion 88, the last serving as a manually removable cover.

The dispenser blank is folded and glued, or otherwise held together as shown in FIG.,16, to form a dispensing carton 90. Prior to scaling the flap members at the upper end of the dispenser, the package contents, in this case wrapped stick of gum, may be put into the dispenser, the flap.

members then being sealed to close the dispenser. When it is desired to use the dispenser 20, the cover portion may be removed, thus providing an opening having the same general proportions as the openings 44 and 64 of the previous described embodiments, for easy removal of' the packaged gum in sequential order. Like the dispenser 52, the, rear wall of the dispenser 90 may have an adhesive area for mounting the dispenser upon a supporting surface.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 'to 20, for use in dispensing single sticks of chewing guim, includes the features of the previously described embodiments. particularly, a dispenser 92 is shown having a front wall 94, a back or rear wall 96, side walls 98, a top wall 160, and a bottom wall 102. An opening 104 is provided on the front wall, which opening is of a composite form, the lower part thereof being slightly larger than the vertical cross-section area of a stick of gum 106, while the upper part is semicircular and of such size as to provide thumb 108, as best seen in FIG. 19. The back wall 96 has an inwardly extending wall portion 110 at the lower inner end, adapted to urge the lowermost stick of gum slightly forward, as in the case of wall portions 50 and 74 in the previously described embodiments. A rib 112 is provided upon the inner surface of the front wall 94, whereby the sticks of gum 106 are maintained in edge contact with the back wall 96. An adhesive portion 114 with protective film, is arranged on the back Wall 96 so that the dispenser may be affixed to a supporting surface when in use.

In FIGS. 21 to 24, a double end dispenser 116, is illustrated, which dispenser has end portions identical with the dispensing end portion of the dispenser 92 and which is otherwise similar in structure and material. The dispenser 116 is adapted for mounting upon a wall, and may be rotated 180 in either direction so that dispensing may be accomplished, from either end. In such manner, the dispenser may'be utilized for handling two or more gum flavors which may be selectively taken from either end. A disc means 118 is arranged in the rear wall of the dispenser 116 which serves as a pivot, or hearing for rotatably, supporting the dispenser. The disc means 118 has an adhesive coated surface 120 which may have a film or paper applied thereto until ready for use.

In FIGS. 25 to 27, a dispenser 122 is shown which may be used for rectangular pillow-type packets 124 having liquid or free-flowing contents, such as syrup, sugar, etc. The dispenser is formed with parallel walls 126 either of which may serve as a front wall,.and parallel side walls 128. A cover 134} is removably arranged on the top end of the dispenser, while the bottom end has a wall 132 with semi-circular openings 134 oppositely arranged and extending inwardly from the edges, as best seen in FIG. 27. A composite opening is provided in the lower end of each wall 126, which opening has an elongated portion 136 extending substantially the width of the Wall, and a narrower opening 138 which connects with the opening 136, as best seen in FIG. 25. In such manner, the packets 124 may be conveniently removed from either side of the dispenser 122. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the inventive concept may take a variety of forms providing a choice of dispensers, each of which may be best suited fora given condition, or desired use.

All of the embodiments shown satisfy the objectives set forth hereinbefore.

W Attentionis directed to the fact that in all embodiments disclosed, the opening for dispensing the articles is of a shape which allows a grasping action. That is, the article to be removed from the dispenser can be grasped betwen the thumb and. index (or other) finger of the person removing the article. The dispensers thus allow adequate grip upon two adjoining surfaces of the article so that it can be readily removed from the dispenser. While generally rectangular cross-sections have been employed in the embodiments shown, other shape cross-sections may be. utilized viz., circular, oval, etc., to accommodate the shape of the articles being dispensed, such other More shaped dispensers, all including the basic concepts of the invention.

The foregoing description has been given in detail without thought of limitation since the inventive principles involved are capable of assuming other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A package for sequentially dispensing unitized articles comprising wall portions arranged to enclose a plurality of said articles, said package being formed with an opening in adjoining wall portions, said opening having a width approximating one dimension of said articles and having a thumb finger clearance hole on one wall surface and another finger clearance hole on the other wall surface extending from said opening, and a projection on the inner surface of one wall portion adapted to urge one of the articles toward said opening.

2. A package for sequentially dispensing unitizied articles comprising a front and a back wall portion in parallel arrangement, side wall portions interconnecting the front and back wall portions, a bottom wall portion, said front and bottom wall portions being formed with a common opening for dispensing one of said articles at a time, said opening having a thumb finger clearance hole extending from said opening whereby an article may be grasped upon adjoining surfaces to facilitates its removal, 21 projecting portion on the inner surface of the back wall pcrtion arranged to urge the article to be dispensed in a direction of the front Wall portion, and a rib means on the rear of the front Wall arranged to urge the articles toward the back wall.

3. The package of claim 2 having a top Wall which is secured to an end of the front, back and side wall portions.

4. The package of claim 2 wherein the package is made of rigid plastic.

5. The package of claim 2 wherein an adhesive portion is provided on the rear surface of the back Wall portion whereby the dispenser can be removably secured to a supporting wall surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 340,355 4/86 Ramser 221-280 X 846,683 3/07 Moore et al. 221305 1,157,951 10/15 Monroe 221305 1,371,331 3/21 Swift 221-283 X 1,431,437 10/22 Wisroth u 221150 X 1,915,341 6/33 Walker et a1 312 12 X 1,930,321 10/33 Ogden 31242 X 1,986,101 1/35 Brodsky 31242 2,216,323 10/40 Ringler 221-305 X 2,472,183 6/49 Williamson 221-305 X 2,896,892 7/59 Berandinelli 248-205 3,080,998 3/63 La Cas 221-312 X FOREIGN PATENTS 804, 358 8/36 France.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PACKAGE FOR SEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING UNITIZED ARTICLES COMPRISING WALL PORTIONS ARRANGED TO ENCLOSE A PLURALITY OF SAID ARTICLES, SAID PACKAGE BEING FORMED WITH AN OPENING IN ADJOINING WALL PORTIONS, SAID OPENING HAVING A WIDTH APPROXIMATING ONE DIMENSION OF SAID ARTICLES AND HAVING A THUMB FINGER CLEARANCE HOLE ON ONE WALL SURFACE AND ANOTHER FINGER CLEARANCE HOLE ON THE OTHER WALL SURFACE EXTENDING FROM SAID OPENING, AND A PROJECTION ON THE INNER SURFACE OF ONE WALL PORTION ADAPTED TO URGE ONE OF THE ARTICLES TOWARD SAID OPENING. 